I know I posted a similar question two years ago, so forgive my redundancy, but I cannot come to a clear decision on how best to number incoming loan objects. How would you recommend numbering your incoming loans (objects)? I prefer to have some sort of differentiation between incoming loans that are specifically for an exhibition we're organizing, and works that we're borrowing to place in our permanent galleries. I've used exhibition-specific prefixes, which is nice because it makes searching very simple, but I'm afraid that will leave us with just too many prefixes in the database. Here are some of the options I've thought of:

- Use IL.20XX.X.X for ALL objects we borrow. The year is based on when they will physically be at the museum, next number is Loan Agreement number, and then object associated with that loan. 

- Use the above just for works borrowed for the permanent collection, and EL.20XX.X.X for works coming in for an exhibition we're organizing. 

This is going to be the start of getting other staff members used to using TMS this way, so they do not have an opinion yet.

One other semi-related question: Do you enter object records for packaged traveling exhibitions? We were thinking of just scanning in the checklist and attaching it to the exhibition record, which has its obvious limitations. 

Thank you for any advice!

Best,

Aleesha Nissen Ast

Assistant Registrar

Norton Museum of Art

West Palm Beach, FL